Apps & viewing

[StarbucksGhost]

I have a TCL Roku TV. I watch YouTube TV through the YouTube App on my Roku with my YouTube TV account. It has become unwatchable.  Constantly buffering, pausing, & freezing. I’ve updated both the Roku & the app itself. I’ve restarted the TV. Nothing helps.  It’s not the WiFi because I can watch anything on YouTube TV using my iPad which uses the same WiFi as my TV. It streams in 1080 HD without issue on my iPad but constantly struggles to give me even 480 SD on the 4K #TLC Roku tv.  I don’t understand what the problem can be. It’s pretty much only a problem with the#YouTube TV portion of the YouTube app. I can watch YouTube videos on YouTube without this problem. I do not want to watch my programs on a 4K tv in standard definition. But it rarely lets me go above 480 & often when it’s set to Auto will stream in 240 like it’s 2008. I shouldn’t have to restart the tv 5x a day to get a clear & uninterrupted viewing experience. HELP!

[RokuEmmanuel-D]

Thanks for reaching out here, @StarbucksGhost!

Looks like you're having issues with the playback on YouTube TV, and we're here to help!

Tell us more...

• When did you start noticing this issue?
• Did you have any recent updates before this happened? Can you please check the latest software on your Roku (under Settings > System > About)?

In the meantime, please follow the steps below and see if it'll do the trick.

1. Remove the channel: Highlight the channel tile on your home screen and press Star to open the Options menu. Select Remove channel and confirm.
2. Restart your Roku device: Go to Settings > System > Power > System restart > Restart Now.
3. Re-install the channel: After your Roku device restarts, visit the Roku Streaming Store and add the channel again.

Keep us posted!

Roku Community Team

[StarbucksGhost]

Hi, 

So I’ve had this problem start almost a year ago, around June 2024.  I originally had the problem using the ‘YouTube TV’ app on my Roku.  I was told to stop using that app & only use the ‘YouTube’ app which has the YouTube TV within it.  Once I switched to that I did not have the problem until about 2 months ago when it started to do the same thing as the ‘YouTube TV app’.  Now it’s frequent to the point of being just as unwatchable.  I do not have cable so I only use apps on my Roku for content. YouTube TV is how I watch things I would normally require cable for.

My Roku Software version is 14.5 & for reference I have a TLC 55S525 4K TV.  

The only changes that fit the timeframe is that I moved to a new location so I had to switch my ISP.  However as I stated before, the apps work fine & stream without problems on my iPad & my phone which uses the same WiFi as the TV.  I’ve had this TV since Fall of 2021 & never had playback issues with YTTV or YT on the Roku until June 2024.  
Other than that I’ve only been updating the Roku & the channel apps themselves as needed.
 I’ve had people tell me to use the RoKu stick instead of using the TV as my Roku but I’m not sure how that would be any better. I just want everything to function as it’s intended to. 

I have not tried your suggestions yet but I will later today.  Thanks for your help. 

[RokuEmmanuel-D]

Thanks for that detailed info, @StarbucksGhost!

While you wait, it might be a good idea to start with some troubleshooting steps. If that doesn’t do the trick, try hooking up your Roku device to a different internet connection, like a mobile hotspot, and let us know how that goes.

We get that everything else was working fine with the Wi-Fi, but sometimes, a glitch in the connection could mess with the quality when streaming shows, especially those in high resolution.

Keep us posted!

Roku Community Team

[StarbucksGhost]

I have uninstalled/reinstalled (after a restart) the YouTube App & for 2 days it worked great but now it’s back to constant buffering & playback at 240SD instead of 720 or 1080. It’s actually worse now because before I only had this problem using the YouTubeTV portion but now even YouTube videos will freeze & buffer which wasn’t a problem before.  It’s ridiculous at this point.  It’s not the WiFi. I have 1G speed WiFi & nothing else on my WiFi ‘glitches’ just the Roku which means even if it was the WiFi, the fact that I only have a problem with the YouTube playback on my Roku Tv still makes this a Roku specific problem. YouTube App works fine on my iPad & MacBook. Anyway, people have suggested I use the Roku Stick? as they say the Roku TVs often have issues after a few years. When they plug in the stick & use that instead of the TV it works fine. I don’t know how true that is but I’m running out of options. I’ve noticed that I have to manually update the apps as it doesn’t seem like the Roku is doing this automatically. 

Also, when I power off my TV I don’t think it actually turns off, I think it goes into a sleep mode which can also be a problem as other apps will have problems until I do a restart.  How can I turn off the tv so that it’s like a restart when I power it on? 

Thanks again for your suggestions

[RokuEmmanuel-D]

Thanks for that detailed info, @StarbucksGhost!

Could you help us out by sharing some info here?

• Roku device model, Device ID, Serial Number, and Software version (It can be found in Settings > System > About)
• Tracker ID (Press Home five times, then press Back button five times)
• App build version (Highlight the app from the Home Screen and press the Star * Button)

Please get back to us soon!

Roku Community Team

[StarbucksGhost]

Hi, here is the information you requested. 

ROKU Device Model: TLC 55S525 

Device ID# S051Y976A92E

Serial # X00300T6A92E

Software Version: 14.5

Tracker ID: ID 2E-180-955

App Build Version: 2.23 - build 115025180

Thank you again for your help. 
SBG ✨

[Surt]

I've been having the same problem.  Specifically, for live, on demand or DVR, the stream will freeze with the spinning pin wheel for 20 seconds, a black screen and pinwheel for two, then the stream resumes .  The stream can resume from where it froze, or some content is lost, but not all 20 seconds.

I've found that immediately upon the freeze, I can hit < twice, then OK and the stream resumes.  So no 20+ seconds wait.  

I've sent YouTube dozens and dozens of "feedback" just after each freeze over the past several months.  Odd, they don't reply.

Having had an Ultra on a Samsung TV since 2018 (both retired) and a TCL TV since 2021, I am well versed in all the fixes and none work.

Tried different three-dot menu things,  e.g. 480p or 1080p: freezes.

The issue is not a problem for YouTube not-TV, Netflix, Prime, hulu, max, Dis+, pluto, tubi, Roku Channel and TCL TV+.   As such, YouTube help considers it's an issue with the TV or the app and as I understand it, Roku builds the app.

YT-TV on my WiFi Android 8 Samsung 10.6" Tab A (circa 2016!) is A-OK

TCL 55S535
ID S05NYO97KT4X
Software 14.5.4 b5944, occurring in 14.1.4 7709 as well.  And most likely 14.0 something.  Yes' it's been going on that long.
Hardware ID A119X
s/n X0030097KTX4X

I'll pass on press five times thing as you don't mention how to get out of whatever screen one lands on.  I know, Home.  But then, I really don't know.

YouTube TV v2.23 b115025081, b115025076 and perhaps the one before that.

TV is Ethernet connected.
Quantum FTTH 200/200 U/D.
Gigabit LAN.

Thanks.  And... HELP!!